Free 2016 Buick LaCrosse VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2016 Buick LaCrosse VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Buick LaCrosse VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that identifies the manufacturer of a particular vehicle. In the case of the 2016 Buick LaCrosse, the WMI is “1G4”, which signifies that the vehicle was produced by General Motors LLC, a major automotive company based in the United States. Specifically, this code indicates that the Buick LaCrosse was manufactured in Warren, Michigan. WMIs are essential for distinguishing vehicle manufacturers and are the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about a vehicle’s origins, characteristics, and specifications. The WMI code not only helps in identifying the manufacturing company but also the country and, sometimes, the state or province where the vehicle was assembled.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Buick LaCrosse

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 2010-2019
• Example VIN: 1G4GA5GR0GF165417
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2016 Buick LaCrosse VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2016 Buick LaCrosse:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2016 Buick LaCrosse VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2016 Buick LaCrosse VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2016 Buick LaCrosse VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Buick LaCrosse Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Buick LaCrosse

The final 6 characters in a 2016 Buick LaCrosse’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2016 Buick LaCrosse VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being a 2016 Buick LaCrosse, offering insights into the age and brand of the car.
• Engine Specifications: Information such as the engine model being an LFX with SIDI, VVT, E85 MAX, and an aluminum build by GM, alongside a displacement of 3.6 liters and a six-cylinder configuration, demonstrates the detailed data available about the vehicle’s powertrain.
• Drive Type and Fuel Efficiency: The VIN may indicate that the car features an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system and primarily uses gasoline fuel, pointing towards probable performance characteristics and fuel preferences.
• Safety Features: The VIN possibly indicates the presence of curtain airbags across all rows, front airbags at the 1st row, and side airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows, highlighting a potential commitment to occupant safety.
• Body Class and Additional Specifications: The VIN may specify the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, and equipped with features such as a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), hinting towards potential design and functionality aspects.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN might also include information about the vehicle being manufactured in Kansas City, United States, by Fairfax Assembly, providing a chance to learn about its production origin.
• Vehicle Identification and Tracking: The sample VIN provided, 1G4GC5G30GF146694, allows for specific identification and tracking of this particular vehicle, underscoring the unique fingerprint a VIN provides for each car.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Buick LaCrosse